Notes

Praise for God's deliverance from threatening foes in answer to prayer.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-3
st. 2 = vv. 4-6
st. 3 = vv. 7-8

Similar to Psalm 18, 138 is a song of thanksgiving for God's saving acts–especially against enemies. After first praising the LORD for answering prayer (v. 3; st. 1), the psalmist expresses a desire that all the kings of earth be moved to add their praise to God; they too should see the greatness of God's glory. Even though the LORD is "on high," God does not identity with the proud but looks favorably on the lowly (st. 2). God's deliverance of the psalmist is an example of this care. The psalmist professes confidence in God's continued care and commits the future to the LORD in a closing prayer (st. 3). Stanley Wiersma (PHH 25) versified this psalm in 1981 for the Psalter Hymnal. Another setting of Psalm 138 is at 183.

Liturgical Use:
Occasions of gratitude to God; the universal scope of stanza 2 makes Psalm 138 appropriate to themes of mission and kingdom.

Tune

GENEVAN 138 was first published in the 1551 edition of the Genevan Psalter. Dale Grotenhuis (PHH 4) harmonized the tune in 1985. See also the 1564 alternative harmonization by Claude Goudimel (PHH 6) with the melody in the tenor (facing page). This second setting can be useful for a choral stanza (f…

Media

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